There’s something uniquely personal about a car collection. It’s more than metal, rubber, and horsepower—it’s memory, history, and soul on four wheels. Few collections embody that philosophy as purely as that of British racing legend Dario Franchitti.
You likely know Franchitti, as a four-time IndyCar Series champion, but he is also a lifelong student of automotive history. He has transformed his passion into a collection that feels more like a museum of personal milestones than a showroom of rare cars. His newly built garage in England—once a dream, now a reality—is part office, part gallery, and entirely inspiring.
A Garage Built on Passion
Before returning to the UK, Franchitti lived for 15 years in Nashville, Tennessee, but now his headquarters sits in a carefully curated garage in England. The space is pristine—bright, organized, and full of soul. Helmets, trophies, and original sketches like Gordon Murray’s T.50 line the shelves, hinting at a lifetime of stories told at 200mph.
And just across from his desk? A lineup that would make any enthusiast pause.
Icons, Memories, and Meaning
Franchitti doesn’t just own cars—he lives with them. Take his Ferrari F40, for example. He bought it in 1999 when he was just 25 years old. Over two decades later, he still calls it “an animal.” “Every time I get in it and I drive it somewhat spiritedly, I don’t get out without a little shake,” he told The Late Brake Show. To Franchitti, it’s more than a car—it’s a family heirloom.
Then there’s the Singer-restored Porsche 911, which he custom-built to honor his father’s Guards Red 930 Turbo from 1980. That very 930 was sold to fund Franchitti’s early racing career. Years later, in a full-circle moment rich with sentiment, he tracked it down, restored it, and gifted it back to his father. That’s the kind of story you don’t just buy—you build.
Other notables in his collection include:
- A Rolls-Royce Wraith Shooting Brake by Niels van Roij Design, rare and exquisitely coachbuilt.
- A Porsche Carrera GT, one of the most analog supercars ever made.
- A near-stock Lancia Delta Integrale, loved for its rally-bred character.
- A Ferrari F355, remembered for spontaneous road trips across Europe.
- An Aston Martin Vantage V8, full of British muscle and grace.
It’s Not Just About the Cars
What makes Franchitti’s garage so magnetic isn’t the rarity or value of each car. It’s that every vehicle tells a story—of a race, a road trip, a relationship, a life. He doesn’t collect for status. He collects to remember and to feel.
“There’s no theme,” he says. But that’s the beauty. The thread running through this collection is deeply personal—formed by emotion, nostalgia, and a love for driving.
The Inspiration: Build Your Own
Franchitti’s story is a reminder that every car can carry meaning. Whether it’s the first car your parents owned, the model you drove to college, or the one you dreamt about as a kid—you can start your own collection. It doesn’t need to be exotic or expensive. It just needs to be yours.
Start small. Start with significance. Pick cars that make your heart race or stir a memory. Over time, you’ll create a garage that reflects your journey, your passions, and your stories—just like Dario’s.
Ready to start your collection?
Look back at your automotive past. What car started it all for you? What car do you want to pass on? Begin with one. Drive it. Care for it. Let it become part of your life story. Because the best collections aren’t built for others—they’re built for you.